Product Review: Kose Sekkisei Supreme Moisturizer

Kose’s Sekkisei Supreme range has been popular for many years, as a whitening range suitable for Asian skin. Sekkisei – or 雪肌精, translates to “snow skin essence”. The range features a Lotion, Moisturizer, Revitalizing Cream, Whitening Herbal Oil, Cleansing Cream, Washing Cream, and Whintening Eye Cream.

The Lotion, Moisturizer, and Revitalizing Cream all work as moisturizers, in increasingly thickness moisturizing properties; Sekkisei Supreme Lotion is watery, suitable for younger, acne prone skin, with witch hazel to help calm inflamation from acne. Sekkisei Moisturizer is thicker and gives more hydration, while Sekkisei Revitalizing Cream is suitable for dryer, more mature skin, and as a night cream.

To confuse you further, Sekkisei Lotion, Moisturizer, Revitaliing Cream come in 2 formulations each: (I) and (II). (I) is less hydrating, while (II) is more hydrating. However, the price of the(I) and (II) variations of each product are the same. (As you can see, Kiasu-ness is not only a characteristic of Singaporeans).

I will concentrate on one of the favourites of the range in this review: Kose Sekkisei Supreme Moisturizer 1

The Claims: Kose Sekkisei Supreme Moisturiser 1

“Helps to maintain the elasticity and supple fairness of the skin. Suppresses the formation of dark spots by restoring skin’s moisture balance.”

“Absorbs well into the skin, resulting in finely -toned skin that is pleasantly smooth to the touch”

“With its superior – and long-lasting – hydrating properties, it also protects the skin from dryness, a cause of fine wrinkles, leaving skin beautifully moist”

Packaging/Texture/ Scent: Kose Sekkisei Supreme Moisturiser 1

Sekkisei Supreme Moisturiser 1 comes in a cream coloured cylinder bottle with a convenient pump for dispensing of the product.

The texture is very lightweight, and quickly absorbed into the skin, to instantly give a matte finish. Skin is visible lighter and smoother on application. There is a very mild pleasant herbal scent.

L-ascorbic acid, or Vitamin C, is the active ingredient present in the largest proportion. Vitamin C is an active cosmetic ingredient which is tried and tested – it has proven anti-aging, whitening and anti-inflammatory properties.

Angelica Acutiloba, a perennial herd with pretty flowers, is related to the Chinese herb: 当归. It has been show n to be a powerful inhibitor of melanin production.

Angelica acutiloba is perennial herb related to the popular chinese medicine: 当归 dāngguī. Amongst its beneficial properties, it has been shown to reduce post menopausal blood loss, and on the skin – it has been shown to be a potent inhibitor of tyrosinase activity, and hence the formation of melanin (pigmentation).

Camellia Sinensis Leaf is simply tea leaf – but don’t underestimate this powerhouse. It is packed with polyphenols, with well documented anti-oxidant, anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory properties. It acts as a UV protecting agent, and may slow down the formation of wrinkles and skin sagging. Its beneficial effects, together with its cheap price, is the reason why White Tea, Green Tea extracts are fairly ubiquitous in skin care products these days.

Job’s Tears have been used as a medicine in Asia. Its seeds are also used in jewellery.

Coix lacryma-jobi (Job’s Tears). There has been some limited research in-vitro (in the lab) showing that Job’s tears may have anti- cancer effects, anti-oxidant effects, and heavy-metal absorption capabilities. Orally, it has been used as a health food in Asia, believed to help lower cholesterol, cancer, and obesity – however, these claims have not been verified.

Melothria Heterophylla, popularly known as Kundari, has some anti-tumour and anti-oxidant activity. In rats, it is shown to reduce liver toxicity. Studies have also shown that it prevents the breakdown of collagen and elastin in the skin by inhibiting Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) – the enzymes responsible for breaking down the extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins. Hence, Melothria heterophylla may play a role in the treatment of photodamaged skin.

Polygonum Tinctorium (Chinese/Japanese Indigo) is a source of blue dye. Traditionally, it has been used in Asia as medicine to treat inflammatory conditions, especially related to the stomach and intestines. It has some anti-inflammatory activity in the skin, and has been used to treat Psoriasis.

Kose Sekkisei Supreme Moisturiser hits the right notes in choosing its active ingredients. Most of them have proven whitening, anti-aging benefits. With other powerful emolients onboard such as squalane and glycerin, you can be sure of good hydration with the product, plus some beneficial skin whitening, anti-aging effects with more prolonged use (4-8weeks)

Precautions : Kose Sekkisei Supreme Moisturiser 1

One thing of note is presence of Alcohol in Sekkisei Supreme Moisturiser as the 2nd largest ingredient, after water.

Alcohol has gotten a bad name as a skincare ingredient – claimed to dry out the skin, worsen acne, and even trigger free radical damage and skin aging! While alcohol has been unfairly demonized, it can dry out the skin, depending on that other ingredients in the formulation. For Sekkisei Supreme Mooisturizer, I feel that there are enough other emollients and humectants present to offset the drying effects of alcohol. Having said that, everyone’s skin has varying tolerance to alcohol, so if you have sensitive skin, be careful – start by trying out the product on a small inconspiciuous area such as behind the ear, before using it on the rest of the face.

Who It Is Good For

Men and women with normal to oily skin looking for whitening, anti-aging moisturizer.
Most suitable age range: 20s – 40s

Conclusion : Kose Sekkisei Supreme

Kose’s Sekkisei Supreme range is popular for good reason: It combines good active ingredients with good moisturizing agents, cleanly packaged with pleasant scents. The formulation ensures that you see immediate restults on application, and will also reap its long term effects after 6-8 weeks.

At SGD $95 for 140ml, this is good value for money, especially as a daytime moisturizer in Singapore.

However, I feel that the manufacturers could have used a better carrying agent then Alcohol – which makes this product less suitable for sensitive skin, and definitely not suitable after medical aesthetic treatments such as chemical peels and resurfacing lasers.

Dr Siew is a medical doctor from Singapore. He runs DrSiew.com to educate the public about aesthetic procedures, and to bring the latest in skin care, anti-aging and aesthetic medical procedures to you.
Dr Siew is also a passionate animal welfare advocate. He runs the animal welfare charity, SOSD in Singapore.

“Because every person is unique, the practice of aesthetic medicine is an art as much as a science. The widely held belief that aesthetic medicine comprises only creams and medical procedures is wrong. What we are striving for is a healthier, more confident you. This can only be achieved with a sound diet, a healthy lifestyle, and a balanced mind." ~ Dr Siew Tuck Wah